Carey, chief operating officer of News Corp., received a compensation package of $27 million, a 9% increase from the previous year. Carey was lauded for his handling of the media company's breakup and spinoff of the publishing properties.

Carey, chief operating officer of News Corp., received a compensation package of $27 million, a 9% increase from the previous year. Carey was lauded for his handling of the media company's breakup and spinoff of the publishing properties. (Andrew Harrer / Bloomberg)

In his new role, Belgrad will help oversee Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group's various production banners, and take on new responsibilities in business affairs and music. He will also supervise Sony Pictures' overseas local language production operations.

"Doug is an outstanding leader with a deep understanding of the motion picture business," Pascal said in a statement. "He has a rare combination of taste, relationships, experience and business judgment."

Sony has made other changes to its entertainment executive ranks in the last year. In May, Nicole Seligman was named president of Sony Entertainment, the parent of Sony Pictures. In 2013, Sony Pictures named Mike De Luca co-head of production of the Columbia unit.

Belgrad began his Hollywood career in 1989 when he joined Columbia's executive training program. He became co-president of production at Columbia in 2003 and was named president of the label in 2008.

During his Sony tenure, he bought, developed and supervised films such as the "Men in Black" franchise, "Karate Kid," "American Hustle" and "Captain Phillips."

"I have been blessed with an exciting and productive career at Sony Pictures," Belgrad said in a statement. "We have an incredible team here and I couldn't be more excited to continue working with Amy and everyone in the Motion Picture Group as we further collaborate across all of our labels."

Winning the box-office derby on its opening weekend was a foregone conclusion for “Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation,” leaving only the question of just how formidable a draw the latest installment in the Tom Cruise-led thriller franchise would be.

After receiving a Donkey Kong-style pounding from critics, "Pixels," the '80s video-game themed comedy starring Adam Sandler, was edged out at the box office on its opening weekend, failing to take the No. 1 spot from "Ant-Man," which earned an estimated $24.8 million.